Sickle Cell Disease Prevention And Diagnosis

By Coleen Torres


In the sub Saharan Africa, sickle cell has been a threatening disease to many. There has not been any proven cure of this complication. However, it does not mean that once you get it you will die. There are efforts by doctors and researchers trying to come up with an effective medication even if not to cure but at least to prevent. By following carefully the precautions set, you as a patient will manage to leave longer. Sickle cell disease prevention has been handled differently. Responsibility has been taken by major departments to try and give primary prevention through counselling and creating public awareness.

The disease affects the hemoglobin in red blood cells and is genetic as well. This means that it is passed from one generation to another. If your parents happen to have it, then there is all possibility that you will be affected too. There is much complication especially pains which in return interferes with vital aspects of life. They include, education, psychological development and employment. Early screening is very important as it helps to reduce its effects.

In Mediterranean basin, part of Saudi Arabia and some part of Africa as well as people who have equatorial origins there is much spreading of this particular trait at high rate. An example is the some part of the African continent where affected persons are those ideally living in areas of between latitudes of 15 degrees north and 20 degrees south. Ten percent to forty percent is the population experiencing this sickness in several areas.

Controlling this disease has not been easy to either the affected individuals or the doctors who are working day and night. The existence of national programs put in place to control the sickle cell sickness has helped much and should therefore be strengthened. The set programs to control this illness are under the framework of national programs for preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases.

By setting of sickle cell screening and genetic counselling programs especially in the affected countries, the disease is controlled. The sickness ought to be identified in prenatal stages which involves the screening program. Counseling, health and the above mentioned services should be made available to the affected areas as well as countries. There is raising of ethical and cultural issues from diagnosis of this illness.

The screening as well as genetic counseling leads to substantial reduction of the number of kids born with this trait. In other words, management of this particular disease at different levels of heath care ought to be emphasized too. Some of these health cares use simple and affordable technology hence can be accessible by a larger proportion of the community.

Training of individuals to diagnosis, prevent as the case management ensures that the health cares provide the affected people with the required basic services. The responsibility to involve the community-based care and families should be left to the national program. These inclusions are part and parcel of making these programs be successful. The set research as well as surveillance should be taken serious as they play a huge role.

To conclude, partnership between health professionals, parents and patients should be strengthened. This partnership tend to facilitate the identification of genetic risks in the affected communities, record the family diseases history and create awareness among the people.




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